Repotting

I’m not much of a green thumb, but I do know that plants occasionally
need to be
repotted.

As a plant grows, its root system starts to fill up its container
and inhibit growth. When this happens, it’s time to move the plant to
a bigger container so the roots can spread out to allow the plant to
continue to grow.

As with plants, people also need to be “repotted” from time to
time. If we’re developing and improving ourselves, we’ll eventually
start to fill up the space we’re in and our growth will stop. In
order to start growing again, we have to change our environment in a
way that gives us more room to grow.

With plants, the new pot shouldn’t be too much bigger than the old.
The top of the plant won’t begin to grow until the roots start filling
up the new container.

Similarly, we need to ensure that our new environment isn’t too big
for us. We need to stretch, but we also need some
constraints. Constraints breed creativity. As Austin Kleon says in
Steal Like An Artist:

It seems contradictory, but when it comes to creative work,
limitations mean freedom.

If we’re not learning and growing, we’ll never need to be repotted.
Some people are OK with that. I’m not. I like routine and structure,
but I hate ruts. If I’m not constantly learning new things and
getting better at what I do, I’m not happy.

Once we start feeling the constraints of our current environment,
there are a number of different ways we can repot ourselves. I’m sure
you can think of many more.

Seek more/different responsibilities in your current job

Find a volunteer or open-source opportunity

Take a new job

Find opportunities to be around people who are a little bit ahead of
you and learn from them

There’s a saying variously attributed to James Watson and Michael
Dell:

If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room.

I’d generalize this to say that if you’re the most anything in the
room, you’re in the wrong room.

If you’ve repotted yourself and are feeling completely overwhelmed or
are not even close to keeping up with those around you, then you might
have jumped to too large a pot. Look for ways to scale back and take
smaller steps forward. Of course, a little bit of discomfort and
feeling behind is normal – those are the things that will help you
grow. Maybe there’s someone you trust who can help you determine if
you’re really out of your league or if you’re selling yourself short.

I encourage you to start growing, notice when you need repotting, and
look for opportunities to repot yourself.